Birmingham Airport has busiest year EVER as 11 million passengers pass through

There has been a 10.2 percent increase on passenger numbers compared to the previous 12 months which bosses have attributed to airlines increasing capacity and launching new services to and from Birmingham.

The airport has also recorded its busiest single day to date, which was August 19, when 44,767 passengers passed through.

Paul Kehoe, Birmingham Airport's Chief Executive Officer, said: "Reaching 10 million passengers last August was a big milestone in the airport's history but reaching 11 million is an absolute game changer.

"It shows that demand for flying to and from the Midlands is rapidly rising and this is only expected to continue as national and international investment in the region continues and the Midlands Engine powers on.

"The future is exciting as we focus on the next milestone - twelve million passengers – and we will be working very hard over the next year to deliver even more connectivity for our region's business and leisure travellers."

Over the last year, long-haul traffic has increased by 26 percent, with particular growth on services to the Middle East, North America and Europe.

Low cost flights increased by 11.5 percent, scheduled services overall grew by 6.9 percent and charter by 2.4 percent.

Monthly records have been breaking consecutively for the last seventeen months at Birmingham Airport.

The eleven-millionth passenger, James Sheffield from Edgbaston, set the milestone on August 19 as he checked in for his United Airlines flight to San Francisco. He was treated by the airport to a slap up meal and magnum of champagne.

Mr Sheffield, said: "Now that was a check-in with a difference! I wondered what was happening when I arrived at the desk and airport officials approached me, but what a fantastic surprise.

"It's kicked off my holiday brilliantly and I look forward to enjoying my huge bottle of champagne with friends when I return."